SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING

There are several terms and phrases that refer to Jesus' return.

  1. parousia, which means "presence," was used of a royal visit (cf. Matt. 24:3,27,37,39; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1,8; James 5:7; 2 Pet. 1:16; 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28)
  2. epiphaneia, "face to face appearing" (i.e., 2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1,8; Titus 2:13)
  3. apokalupis, "unveiling" or "revealing" (i.e., 1 Cor. 1:7; 2 Thess.1:7; 1 Pet. 1:5,13; 4:13)
  4. "the Day of the Lord" and the variations of this phrase (see SPECIAL TOPIC: The Day of the Lord)

The NT as a whole is written within the worldview of the OT, which asserted

  1. a current evil, rebellious age (see SPECIAL TOPIC: The Fall of Mankind)
  2. a coming New Age of righteousness
  3. this would be brought about by the Spirit's agency through the work of the Messiah (Anointed One; see SPECIAL TOPIC: Messiah)

The theological assumption of progressive revelation is required because the NT authors modify Israel's expectation.  Instead of a militaristic (like the Judges), nationalistic-focused (Israel) coming of the Messiah, there are two comings.  The first coming was the incarnation of Deity in the conception (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Virgin) and birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  He came as the non-military, non-judicial "suffering servant" of Isaiah 53; also the humble rider on the colt of a donkey (not a war horse or kingly mule), of Zech. 9:9; the wounded Shepherd of Zech. 10-11; see SPECIAL TOPIC: A Suffering Messiah.

The first coming inaugurated the New Messianic Age, the Kingdom of God on earth (see SPECIAL TOPIC: The Kingdom of God).  In one sense the Kingdom is here, but of course, in another it is still future.  It is this tension between the two comings of the Messiah which, in a sense, is the over-lapping of the two Jewish ages that was unseen, or at least unclear, from the OT (see SPECIAL TOPIC: This Age and the Age to Come).  In reality, this dual coming emphasizes YHWH's commitment to redeem all humanity (cf. Gen. 3:15; 12:3; Exod. 19:5 and the preaching of the prophets, especially Isaiah and Jonah; see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan). The first coming focuses on Jesus as Savior (i.e., John 3:16-17).

The church is not waiting for the fulfillment of OT prophecy because most prophecies refer to the first coming (cf. How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth, pp. 165-166).  What believers do anticipate is the glorious coming of the resurrected King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the expected historical fulfillment of the New Age of righteousness on earth as it is in heaven (cf. Matt. 6:10; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Revelation 21-22).

The OT presentations were not inaccurate, but incomplete (cf. Matt. 5:17-19).  He will come again just as the prophets predicted, in the power and authority of YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Why Do OT Covenant Promises Seem So Different from NT Covenant Promises?).

The Second Coming is not a biblical term (i.e., coined by Tertullian), but the concept forms the worldview and framework of the entire NT.  God will set it all straight (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Judgment in the NT).  Fellowship between God and mankind made in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) will be restored (cf. Revelation 21-22).  Evil will be judged and removed (cf. Rev. 20:11-15).  God's purposes will not, cannot, fail!

SPECIAL TOPIC: Second Coming (chart)

The details of Jesus's return are uncertain, but the event is certain. Every generation of believers have expected Him to come in their lifetime. All have been wrong! The best a believer can to is

  1. be ready
  2. stay active

SPECIAL TOPIC: Hope

I would like to add one more point on this issue. The term "coming" does not always refer to the Second Coming. Often it is used in the sense of the temporal judgment of God by human means.

  1. YHWH used the nation's military to accomplish His purpose of judgment.
    1. Ps. 18:4-15 ‒ YHWH coming imagery of Him acting
    2. Ps. 96:13; 98:9; Isa. 26:21 ‒ YHWH's coming as act of judgment on sinful nations
    3. Isa. 10:5-14 ‒ YHWH's coming seen in His using Assyria to judge Israel. The same imagery used of Babylon judged by YHWH sending Cyrus in Jeremiah 51
    4. Isa. 19:1 ‒ YHWH judging Egypt by His "coming" with foreign army
    5. Joel 2:1-17; Micah 1:3 ‒ YHWH uses the military of other nations to judge His covenant people
    6. Nahum 1:1-8 ‒ YHWH's judgment on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria
    7. Zeph. 1:14-18 ‒ YHWH's judgment on Judah
  2. NT ‒ this imagery of God/Jesus "coming" depicts temporal judgment (particularly in Matthew)
    1. Matt. 10:23 ‒ A.D. 70 coming of Titus
    2. Matt. 16:28 ‒ A.D. 70 coming of Titus
    3. Matt. 24:30,33,34 ‒ A.D. 70 coming of Titus
    4. used of God's judgment by Jesus of several of the seven churches
      1. Rev. 2:5 ‒ Ephesus
      2. Rev. 2:16 ‒ Pergamum
      3. Rev. 3:3 ‒ Sardis

        I am becoming more and more convinced of the Partial Preterist approach to the Olivet Discourse, 2 Thessalonians, and the book of Revelation (cf. Rev. 1:1,3; 2:16; 3:11; 22:7,10,12,20 combined with Matt. 10:23; 16:28; 24:34).

        There is no textual reason to assume a 2,000 year gap in John's revelation (i.e., Futurists). I hope you will look at
         (1) Four Views of the Book of Revelation, several authors, ISBN 0-310-21080-1
         (2) Steve Gregg, Revelation: Four Views, Revised and Updated, ISBN 9781401676216

  3. The NT does mention that Jesus will return to earth for His faithful followers in Acts 1:11 and 1 Thess. 4:13-18.

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